Scratches are one of the most common types of skin injuries that occur when you fall or slip. Generally, scratches are not a serious medical problem although they can still become infected if not treated properly. If you have a scratch, try treating it at home first, by stopping the bleeding by covering the wound with an adhesive bandage equipped with a non-stick pad or non-stick gauze. Also, you can reduce the risk of infection by removing any foreign objects that are trapped in the wound. If you find any potential complications, contact your doctor immediately, especially since some types of deep cuts generally need to be stitched by a specialized medical professional.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Treating Wounds at Home
Step 1. Wash your hands
Before cleaning the wound, first wash your hands thoroughly. Remember, never touch the wound with dirty hands! Wash your hands first with warm water and antibacterial soap.
- Run your hands with clean tap water, then pour the soap and rub it all over your hands, including under your nails and on the backs of your hands.
- Rub your palms together for at least 20 seconds. To keep track of the time more easily, try singing "Happy Birthday" twice.
- Rinse hands thoroughly and dry with a clean, dry towel.
Step 2. Stop the bleeding
The first step you should take to treat a scratch is to stop the bleeding. If the wound is minor, the bleeding should stop on its own. If the blood continues to flow after a few minutes, try pressing it with a sterile bandage or clean cloth. You can also lift the injured area slightly while applying pressure to stop the bleeding.
Step 3. Clean the wound
After the bleeding stops, clean the wound to prevent it from becoming infected. To clean the wound, you just need to run it with clean tap water. Do not use antiseptic soap that can irritate the skin! Once the wound is clean of dust and dirt, lightly pat the surface with a soft towel to dry it.
Step 4. Apply antibiotic cream
To prevent the wound from becoming infected, try applying an antibiotic cream or ointment such as Neosporin or Polysporin. Apply a layer of cream or ointment to the wound surface following the instructions on the antibiotic package.
- In addition to preventing infection, the use of antibiotic creams can also speed up the recovery process by keeping the wound moist and cleaning it from bacteria.
- If you have an allergy to any of the ingredients in a product, don't use the product! Instead, stop using the medication and talk to your doctor if your skin develops a rash or hives, feels itchy, irritated, burns, looks cracked, peels, or if the wound gets worse.
Step 5. Cover the cut with a plaster or bandage
You can use an adhesive bandage with a non-stick pad, or a non-stick gauze pad to cover the wound. Never use gauze or bandages that do not contain a non-stick area to prevent the skin from peeling off when the bandage is removed. Also, make sure the size of the cloth or bandage is large enough to cover the entire wound surface and the surrounding skin area.
If your skin is allergic to adhesives, cover the wound with non-adhesive gauze, then cover the cloth with paper tape, rolled gauze, or a loosely-fitting elastic bandage
Step 6. Keep the wound moist
Apply an ointment that speeds up wound healing, such as an antibacterial cream, to keep the condition moist. Remember, good moisture can heal wounds more quickly and prevent peeling of the skin as the healing process progresses.
In particular, wounds that are located in the joint area (such as the knee) must be thoroughly kept moist, especially because these parts must be able to withstand very frequent movements
Part 2 of 3: Reducing the Risk of Complications
Step 1. Remove any foreign object from inside the wound
If you scratch your skin from a fall outdoors, there's a good chance that a foreign object will become trapped in your wound. Remove the object and bandage the wound to avoid the risk of infection! Generally, you only need to run the wound with water to clean micro objects such as dirt and dust.
Step 2. Change the bandage regularly
Do not leave one bandage on for too long to reduce the risk of infection. At least, change the bandage once a day!
Early in the healing process, the bandage may need to be changed more often, especially if it starts to get wet with blood or pus
Step 3. Identify the risk factors for infection in the wound
In other words, understand the various situations that can increase the risk of infection in a scrape.
- If dirt or body fluids from another person enter the wound, the risk of infection will automatically increase.
- Wounds caused by human or animal bites are at a greater risk of infection, although such wounds are usually deeper than normal lacerations.
- If the diameter of the wound exceeds 5 cm, the chances of getting infected will increase.
Part 3 of 3: Getting Medical Help
Step 1. Call a doctor if the wound looks infected
In some very rare cases, scrapes can also become infected. Therefore, see a doctor immediately if you find the following symptoms:
- The appearance of pain, redness, or swelling around the wound
- Discharge of pus around the wound
- Feeling unwell
- Increased body temperature
- Swelling of the glands
Step 2. Get a tetanus shot when it's time
Instead, do a tetanus shot if you find a new scratch. However, first check your vaccination track record with the help of a doctor. If you are a minor, it is likely that a copy of the document is kept by your parents.
Step 3. Call your doctor if the blood flow doesn't stop
Most bleeding from a scratch will stop on its own. Therefore, if your blood continues to flow, call your doctor immediately, especially since the scratch is likely deep enough to tear your artery. This condition is also known as a skin avulsion injury that needs to be closed with stitches.
Step 4. Call the doctor if you find a foreign object trapped in the wound
Unlike dust or dirt that can be cleaned with water, larger foreign objects must be detected with the help of X-rays before being removed from your body. Therefore, if you notice a large enough foreign object, such as glass, in your wound, contact your doctor immediately. Supposedly, the doctor will carry out the process of irradiating with X-rays to identify the presence of the foreign object and determine the most appropriate method to remove it.
Step 5. Sew or cover the wound with a bandage
Scratches that are deep or wide should be sutured or covered with a special adhesive that is equipped with a non-sticky pad. Therefore, immediately contact a doctor if the wound does not improve on its own. Doctors can help stitch or bandage the wound to speed up recovery.
Tips
- Call your doctor if symptoms return, or if the wound gets worse and/or doesn't improve after a week.
- Generally, a scratch is not a medical problem to worry about. However, its existence can still be painful! If the pain that appears starts to bother you, don't hesitate to take over-the-counter pain relievers at pharmacies.
